The Commissioner for Commerce and Industries in the state, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem gave the hint when he spoke to our correspondent in his office.
Enoidem told THE SIGNAL that the state Government is partnering with the private sector to establish three crude oil refineries.
The commissioner said the first refinery, Rev Oil Petroleum Limited when completed will have a capacity to produce 50,000 barrels per day.
He noted that the interesting part of the refinery project is that it is seated on an oil block. "The oil block was owned by shell and later the Federal Government took it over and sold it to the present company. It is in Iko in Eastern Obolo LGA. There are about 17 oil wells in that region and 15 have been confirmed to be commercially viable. The proximity between where the crude oil is found and the refinery is very short". He added.
Enoidem also said that the second Refinery is Resource Petroleum Limited, which will produce over 100,000 barrels per day.
He disclosed that all the licenses had been obtained and that the location, about 96 hectares of land has been cleared between Eket and Ibeno local Government Areas.
He said that the team from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is expected soon to inspect the location, so that President Mohammadu Buhari can visit the state for a ground breaking ceremony between now and April, 2016.
Enoidem further said that the ministry of lands and housing is working on the staff quarters and that a lot has been achieved so far on the project. "The unique design for the refinery has been approved. The major engineering design and final designs will be approved soon".
The Commerce and Industry Commissioner further expressed Government's desire to make the Amakpe Refinery project a reality.
He disclosed that a couple of meetings between parties have been carried out. "It is the first privately owned oil refinery in Nigeria. Government has inspected the facilities and is satisfied. The design and engineering metrics are fine at the manufacturing facility in Pasadena Texas" He said.
"There are debts to settle at the Amakpe Refinery. The refinery was built about eight years ago and it has been warehoused by the company that fabricated it. 14.9 million dollars is to be paid. It includes the cost of shipment back to Nigeria, clearing and installation by the technical team. The refinery has a capacity of 6,000 panels per day, expandable to 12,000" He added.
He said already the government is sourcing for funding to pay up the debt and bring back the refinery.
He appealed to the people of the state to support the Udom Emmanuel Government as it has what it takes to rejuvenate the drowning economy of the State at a time the nation's economy is dwindling. He said that the three refineries would employ more than 500,000 people directly and indirectly when completed.
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